Close on the heels of the seizure of formalin-laced fish stock under Operation Sagar Rani, the prices of fish being brought here for sale from other States have plummeted along with the fall in demand. The most-sought-after fish varieties like sardine and mackerel are now priced between Rs.100 and Rs.140 a kg as buyers remain apprehensive of contaminated stock in the market. The prices of these varieties had crossed ?200 after trawling ban came into force. Though the catch from coastal areas is absolutely free from dangerous preservatives, buyers are seemingly reluctant to believe it. A majority of local fish traders are now finding it hard to clear the stock every day, says P. Shibu, a fish merchant. He also points out that buyers are insistent on the supply of local catch though clean fish brought from neighbouring States are available at lower prices. Meanwhile, large-scale traders are procuring less quantity of fish from non-Kerala suppliers. Till recently, local markets had been banking on non-Kerala stock to meet daily demand following trawling ban. Usually, the trawling ban period is the ripe time for local fishers to earn a little extra with the help of country boats. However, with the steep decline in prices, they too are struggling to have a profitable business after the day’s toil, says Rajesh, a fisherman from Puthiyangadi. He complains that large-scale buyers at harbours too are not paying well for the stock citing propagations about contaminated fish. People flock to harbours The number of people who visit the harbours to buy fresh fish has gone up after the seizure of formalin-laced fish stock. However, wholesale trade is proving impractical unless those who purchase fish in small quantities come together to participate in bulk auctioning. As boat owners, agents, and fishers are not interested in entertaining small-scale buyers, getting small quantities of fresh fish from harbours continues to be a hard task. Moreover, the setting up of kiosks for small-scale buyers too has remained a non-starter. Meanwhile, the corporation authorities confirm that they will continue with safety inspections at harbours and fish markets to prevent all possible attempts to sell contaminated fish in the open market. Though no unhealthy stock has been seized from the city, inspections will continue in view of public safety, they say. Various fishermen’s organisations too have come out in support of the stringent enforcement measures.